MARK MOLINA AND KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writers
The Hanna Golden Eagles may have opened some eyes following a big 49-28 home win over McAllen Memorial, but coach Mark Guess won’t get ahead of himself.
It was a great showing against a top program in the Rio Grande Valley, but it also was Week 1.
“We definitely saw some of the kids being tested against a team with the history like McAllen Memorial,” Guess said. “It’s good to test yourself against a team like that early, but it is early. We’re still making mistakes we have to clean up; both teams were. We’re both going to get better as the year progresses and, hopefully, in the end, to be in a position to win that district championship.”
The win sets up an early-season showdown between Hanna, which was voted No. 2 in the RGVSports.com football poll, and the No. 1 team Edinburg Vela.
Also, it will be the first meeting between the two since last season’s bi-district playoff, which was won by the Sabercats on a late field goal, so there is much anticipation surrounding the game, though Guess says the teams are much different than last year.
“We’re similar in the fact that we have a lot of returning starters on defense, but we’re still doing some things differently and we had to replace some of those guys that we lost,” Guess said. “(Vela) also lost some kids, so they had holes to fill. Fortunately for both of us, our offseason programs must’ve been on point because we got good kids to fill the spots.
“Vela is a good football team like they were last year and we played with them last year, so we’re hoping that we were able to fill our holes just like they did and that we’ll be able to compete like we did last year.”
The Golden Eagles looked the part against Memorial, as running back Cesar Mancias rushed for 205 yards and three scores, and quarterback Victor Campos threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns, both to Miguel Payan.
On defense, Hanna held Memorial to less than 300 yards of total offense.
Galvan, Cards offense erupts vs. D-backs
There was no shortage of firepower when the Harlingen High Cardinals’ offense hit Boggus Field for the season opener against Sharyland Pioneer.
Junior QB Jaime Galvan torched the Pioneer secondary for 376 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Galvan spread the ball around and hit five different receivers. Joe Reyna and Ralph Castellanos each caught five passes. Reyna reeled in a 65-yard score and finished with 161 yards receiving, and Castellanos collected 155 yards and found paydirt three times.
Harlingen High now prepares for a road test Saturday at Laredo United South at 7:00 p.m.
Hawks lose lead against Bobcats
Harlingen South let a 14-0 halftime lead slip away against Edinburg High. The Bobcats outscored South 21-7 during the second half to complete the comeback.
Despite the loss, the Hawks’ offense posted some strong numbers.
Junior QB David Torres threw for 153 yards and one score, going 12 for 28 through the air.
Senior running back Emilio Quiroz ripped off 99 yards on 11 carries, and Corbin Hendrick ran for 58 yards on 16 carries and sniffed the end zone twice.Derrick Delgado hauled in five passes for 100 yards and one score.
The Hawks will shoot for their first win Friday night as they play host to PSJA North. Kickoff is set for 7:30.